25. A. N. TOOMBS 1979-1981

Tommy Toombs joined Bexley from Bcxleyheath Sports Club in 1962. He was a clean hitting batsman, an excellent fielder (particularly in the gully) and an occasional bowler of high flighted off breaks.
He played regularly for the 1st and 2nd XI. before being elected captain of the 1st Xl in 1972. The following year Bexley were founder members of the South Thames League and Tom, who was again captain was faced with the new challenge of working out the best tactics for limited over cricket. He quickly grasped the requirement, and after an intensely exciting season, led the team to win the championship. His cheerful and decisive personality was ideal for the captaincy, enabling him to get the best out of the team.
He continued to play cricket for several seasons after that, usually for the 2nd or Sunday B XI . He had the distinction of scoring 1000 run in a season (1974) and of taking 100 wickets in a season (1975). He took 20 or more catches in a season on six occasions between 1964 and 1973.
He was a popular President. In 1981, however. he left to work in America; although he returned to the area a few years later, sadly he was terminally ill and was not able to take any further part in the Club's activities in his remaining year .
He is photographed here in the pavilion on the evening in which he was presented with the South Thames League Championship Shield, by Alan Knott of Kent & England.